8 of the Best RVs for the Cold
Top Rigs to Make Winter Camping Easy
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When it comes to camping, most RVers tend to follow the sun and the season—staying in the north during the summer and in the south during the winter. However, just because that’s the norm doesn’t mean that’s the only way to camp. In fact, cold-weather camping offers some great benefits and unique opportunities from “normal” camping. Some of those reasons include:
Why RV in the Winter?
Winter Wildlife
October and November are prime rutting seasons for deer, elk, and Bighorn Sheep. They’ll generally be easier to view and pay little attention to you (just so long as you make sure not to get too close). Snow also makes wolves easier to spot.
Winter Sports
Skiing (both downhill and cross-country) are enticing enough to get in a cold weather-ready RV and go camping, but you also have ice skating and even pond hockey. Hunting is certainly a sporting activity in colder weather where you can utilize an RV. And, of course, there is always ice fishing.
Winter Relaxation
There’s something about the winter season that brings a certain stillness and calm to the air. While you won’t be able to stargaze under your awning (unless you’ve brought along a portable hot tub) you can certainly go cold-weather camping and put a natural hot springs location on your itinerary.
Winter Campgrounds
While not as prominent as standard campgrounds, winter campgrounds are out there. Just make sure to reserve your winter campground well in advance all the same.
The Eight Best Cold-Weather Ready RVs
If you’ve been convinced to give winter camping a try, consider one of these eight cold-weather ready RVs – perfect for chilling in the cold and hanging out in the tundra.
Keystone Montana
American Surplus Ice Castle Northland Palace
The Montana is a long-time leader in the fifth-wheel category. The fact that it’s a great option to take cold-weather RVing makes it all the better. The Mon- tana comes with a Four Season Living Package that includes insulated in-floor water lines, enclosed and heated drains, an in-floor straight line heat duct, and insulated and heated holding tanks. The Keystone Montana is available in a variety of floorplans, from the 3121RL couple-centric rear living-room model (with the ability to sleep up to four) on up to the 3855BR mid-bunk floorplan (which can sleep up to eight happy campers).
Winnebago EKKO
Winnebago EKKO
With all its holding tanks and water lines inside and above the floor, the Winnebago EKKO is a motorhome built for all seasons. Additional insulation in the roof, walls, and flooring, plus dual-pane acrylic windows and insulated exterior compartments, mean the RV party can continue even when the snow starts to fall. Add in all-wheel drive and off-grid appointments like solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, and you have your own winter wonderland right at the campsite.
Forest River Cherokee Arctic Wolf
The Cherokee Arctic Wolf features additional fold-out bunks
Brace yourself from the elements with the Forest River Cherokee Arctic Wolf. The Arctic Wolf fifth- wheel comes with an Elemental Protection Package, which includes such cold-weather camping fare as an enclosed underbelly with forced-air heating to all holding tanks, a 35,000-Btu furnace, and upgraded two-inch-thick laminated exterior walls. Arctic Wolf also has models designed specifically for larger parties with the ability to sleep up to nine.
Thor Challenger
Thor Challenger Class A Motorhome
Just because the weather is cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t be in the lap of luxury inside. The Thor Challenger Class A motorhome lives like an upscale suite, with satin-finish cabinetry, residential vinyl flooring, and leatherette seating, in addition to the fully stocked kitchen and bedroom hideaway. To combat the cold, the Challenger features enclosed and heated holding tanks, dual-pane windows, and heated remote exterior mirrors, which come in especially handy when the temperature drops.
Northwoods Arctic Fox
Northwood Arctic Fox
Another Arctic? Of course, it’s cold outside! The Northwood Arctic Fox comes in a fifth-wheel (Grande Ronde) or travel trailer (North Fork), both of which come standard with four-season insulation and heated holding tanks. Further upgrade the cozy- factor with a fireplace. You’ll find Arctic Fox models specifically designed for couples who just want to be on their own or for those who want the accommodations to add a couple of guests.
American Surplus Ice Castle Northland Palace
Ice Castle Northland Palace comes equipped with several ice fishing holes for this popular winter pastime.
What does the Ice Castle Northland Palace bring to the table? Versatility. It’s easily at home in a campground as much as sitting on a frozen lake for you to do some ice fishing via its series of built-in fishing holes. With its raised bathroom, electric lift bed, and 30,000-BTU fireplace, the Northland Palace is completely designed to keep your toes warm, whether or not the fish are biting.
Jayco Greyhawk
The Jayco Greyhawk (pictured above) has room to accommodate seven.
In terms of cold-weather camping ability, the Greyhawk has a lot going for it: stronghold VBL vacuum-bond laminated roof, floor, and side walls; bead-foam insulation in the roof, floor, and side walls; and heated holding tanks. Every Greyhawk has room to accommodate up to seven sleepers, with a bunkhouse model bumping that up to eight. Plus, the Greyhawk contains plenty of electronic entertainment options for long days indoors.
Any one of these eight cold-weather ready RVs will make for a perfect companion on your future cold-weather adventure. They’ll keep you warm, protected, and allow for continued exploration of the great outdoors during outdoor temperatures that are anything but.
Outdoors RV – Choose Your Favorite
Outdoors RV Backcountry Series
Which model? Pick any one of them. Outdoors RV has four-season packages on all of its trailers. All models are designed for rugged terrain but have optimum luxury camp creature comforts. Plus, Outdoors RV also offers solar-panel prep as standard equipment, which can be a huge boon for you and your camping family.
